Provided by Fellowship Square
Police, public safety workers and elected officials joined older adult residents of Lake Ridge Fellowship House for a National Night Out (NNO) community event on Aug. 1. Unique among the many NNO events scheduled across Prince William County and the greater D.C. region, the Lake Ridge Fellowship House event focused on the unique safety needs and concerns of seniors. Lake Ridge Fellowship House provides affordable housing to 116 older adults (aged 62 and older) who live on extremely limited fixed incomes of approximately $10,000 per year.
“Our older adult residents are a fixture in our vibrant community. The opportunity to build relationship with Prince William County police and public safety officers and engage in dialogue is important to our seniors who often fear being the victim of a crime because of their age. Equally as important is the opportunity to thank officers for their service to our community,” said Christy Zeitz, CEO of Fellowship Square.
National Night Out at Lake Ridge Fellowship House
The Lake Ridge Fellowship House hosted a NNO cookout for residents and their family members, friends and neighbors. Prince William County police and public safety officers attended and encouraged residents to engage in conversation, ask questions and share concerns as the Central Motorcade assembled in Tackett’s Mill (where Lake Ridge Fellowship House is located).
Prince William County Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny A. Boddye attended the event, participating in the local games and activities. The event enabled an important opportunity for local seniors to discuss concerns with police officers, connect with community members and commit to working together to preserve neighborhood safety.
National Night Out at Lake Ridge Fellowship House
Police, Older Adults and Public Safety
Enabling and growing police precinct relationships with older adult residents of the community is an increasingly important element of public safety. As the U.S. population ages, police more often serve as first responders to incidents involving older adults in which aging-related health plays a critical role. According to the National Sheriffs Association, among older adults, especially the physically impaired and those isolated from others, the fear of crime is often higher than among the younger population. Fear can be paralyzing; many older adults become afraid to leave their homes and withdraw from friends, family, and activities they once enjoyed.
About National Night Out Focused on crime prevention and community building, National Night Out is a unique event celebrated across the country each year on the first Tuesday of August to promote positive police-community partnerships and neighborhood comradery to make all neighborhoods safer places to live. NNO programs are held by thousands of communities in all 50 states. Officers from local police departments visit with as many neighborhood gatherings as possible to engage in dialogue, build relationships and celebrate the strength of local communities.
National Night Out at Lake Ridge Fellowship House
About Fellowship Square
Fellowship Square, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is one of the leading local providers of affordable housing and services to low-income seniors, owning 670 units (240 of them jointly) and serving more than 800 older adults. Through HUD funding and vouchers, residents of Fellowship Houses – many who live on Social Security or Supplemental Security Income alone, with an average annual fixed-income of $10,000/year – pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward their housing costs, including rent and a utility allowance. Through professionally managed apartment communities, programming, and services, Fellowship Square ensures that residents have the support they need to live independent and fulfilling lives even in the face of serious obstacles, such as the high costs of housing in the greater Washington D.C. area. For more information on Fellowship Square housing options, volunteer opportunities or donations, visit fellowshipsquare.org, call 703.860.2536 or email info@fellowshipsquare.org.
